U.S. patent number 5,140,995 [Application Number 07/688,083] was granted by the patent office on 1992-08-25 for protective device for the spinal column for motorcycle riders.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hein Gericke GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Harald Uhl.
United States Patent |
5,140,995 |
Uhl |
August 25, 1992 |
Protective device for the spinal column for motorcycle riders
Abstract
A protective device for the spinal column, particularly as
accident protection for motorcycle riders, having a plurality of
plate elements positioned one behind the other in a longitudinal
direction of the spinal column. The plate elements are made of a
deformable material and are arched to form hollow spaces between
the plate elements and a basic body to which the elements are
secured. The hollow spaces are filled with a shock-absorbing filler
body of plastic foam.
Inventors: |
Uhl; Harald (Friolzheim,
DE) |
Assignee: |
Hein Gericke GmbH & Co. KG
(DE)
|
Family
ID: |
6392368 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/688,083 |
Filed: |
April 18, 1991 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/846; 2/467;
2/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
13/0531 (20130101); A63B 71/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41D
13/05 (20060101); A63B 71/08 (20060101); A61F
005/37 (); A41D 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/846,78,102.1,103.1,104.1,107.1,874 ;2/16,44,92,2
;606/69-71 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
8426849 |
|
Sep 1984 |
|
DE |
|
3401111 |
|
Jul 1985 |
|
DE |
|
3533816 |
|
Jul 1987 |
|
DE |
|
3441876 |
|
Jun 1990 |
|
DE |
|
Primary Examiner: Brown; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Speckman & Pauley
Claims
I claim:
1. In a protective device for a spinal column having a plurality of
plate elements positioned one behind another in a longitudinal
direction of the spinal column, said plate elements being arched
away from the spinal column, made of a deformable material and
supported by a deformable basic body, said plate elements laterally
extending beyond the spinal column and one of at least said plates
partially overlapping and disposed at a short distance from each
other, the improvement comprising:
the plate elements (14 to 19) and the basic body (9, 12) defining
hollow spaces (20) between them, and
said hollow spaces (20) filled with a shock-absorbing filler body
(8, 11) of plastic foam.
2. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the basic body (9, 12) has a basic body width which is greater than
a plate element width of the plate elements (14 to 19), and the
plate elements (14 to 19), and
the plate elements (14 to 19) have a concave section (24, 29, 70),
which is concavely arched away from said spinal column and receives
the filler body and which is laterally adjoined by a plurality of
legs (26, 28; 66, 68), each of which can be fixedly connected to
the basic body (12).
3. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 2, wherein
an edge of the plate elements (14 to 19) which extends crosswise to
a longitudinal extension (10) of the spinal column has a collar
(30, 72), which is further from the basic body (12) than said
concave section (24, 70) of the plate elements (14 to 19) and which
partially receives and covers a crosswise-extending upper edge of
the adjoining plate element.
4. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 3, wherein
the plate elements (14 to 19) are lined up without overlapping, the
filler bodies (11) overlapping in an area of abutting places of the
plate elements (14 to 19).
5. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 4, wherein
the plate elements (14 to 19) have a same shape.
6. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 5, wherein
the basic body (9, 12) is widened in a kidney area and has
laterally extending legs (40, 41, 42).
7. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 6, wherein
covered basic body areas of the basic body (9, 12) covered by the
plate elements (14 to 19) have a greater thickness than basic body
areas extending beyond the plate elements (14 to 19).
8. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 7, wherein
the basic body (9, 12) comprises two coinciding pieces of a plastic
foam fixedly connected to each other.
9. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance claim
8, wherein
said thickness of the basic body (9, 12) covered by the plate
elements (14 to 19) and made of polyethylene foam is greater by
approximately more than 1/3 than the thickness of the basic body
(12) extending beyond the plate elements (14 to 18).
10. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 9, wherein
the plate elements (14 to 19) are shaped like lamellas and are
riveted to the basic body (9, 12).
11. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 10, wherein
separate said filler bodies (8, 11) are secured in each said
concave section (24, 29, 70) of the plate elements (14 to 19).
12. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 10, wherein
the filler bodies (8, 11) of the plate elements (14 to 19) are
combined into a continuous strip forming hinges between the
adjoining plate elements.
13. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 12, wherein
the filler body (11) extends over said plurality of lateral legs
(26, 28; 66, 68) of the plate elements (14 to 18) and forms a flat
connecting surface towards the basic body (12).
14. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 13, wherein
each of the concave sections (20) has a cut-out (22) and a
protrusion (23) shaped complementary to the cut-out (22), whereby
adjoining plate elements (17, 19) are positively connected in at
least one position of the protective device for the spinal
column.
15. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 14, wherein
the plate element (17) is essentially V-shaped when viewed from
above.
16. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 15, wherein
the filler body (8) fills up the hollow space (20) between the
basic body (9) and the plate element (17) and has a cut-out (25)
tapering towards the basic body and a protrusion (27) tapering
towards said plate element protrusion (23) of the plate element
(17).
17. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 16, wherein
the protrusion (27) is shaped complementary to the cut-out
(25).
18. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 17, wherein
an abutting surface between two adjoining filler bodies (8) falls
off at an angle of approximately 45.degree. toward the basic body
(9).
19. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 18, wherein
said protective device is inserted into a jacket.
20. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 19, wherein
said protective device is a kidney belt.
21. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
an edge of the plate elements (14 to 19) which extends crosswise to
a longitudinal extension (10) of the spinal column has a collar
(30, 72), which is further from the basic body (12) than a concave
section (24, 70) of the plate elements (14 to 19) and which
partially receives and covers a crosswise-extending upper edge of
the adjoining plate element.
22. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the plate elements (14 to 19) are lined up without overlapping, the
filler bodies (11) overlapping in an area of abutting places of the
plate elements (14 to 19).
23. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the plate elements (14 to 19) have a same shape.
24. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the basic body (9, 12) is widened in a kidney area and has
laterally extending legs (40, 41, 42).
25. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
covered basic body areas of the basic body (9, 12) covered by the
plate elements (14 to 19) have a greater thickness than basic body
areas extending beyond the plate elements (14 to 19).
26. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the basic body (9, 12) comprises two coinciding pieces of a plastic
foam fixedly connected to each other.
27. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
a thickness of the basic body (9, 12) covered by the plate elements
(14 to 19) and made of polyethylene foam is greater by
approximately more than 1/3 than the thickness of the basic body
(9, 12) extending beyond the plate elements (14 to 19).
28. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
a side of the plate elements (14 to 19) oriented toward the basic
body (9, 12) has one of a covering and a layer of tear-resistant,
but deformable, material.
29. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the plate elements (14 to 19) are shaped like lamellas and are
riveted to the basic body (9, 12).
30. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
separate said filler bodies (8, 11) are secured in each concave
section (24, 29, 70) of the plate elements (14 to 19).
31. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1,
wherein the filler bodies (8, 11) of the plate elements (14 to 19)
are combined into a continuous strip forming hinges between the
adjoining plate elements.
32. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the filler body (11) extends over a plurality of lateral legs (26,
28; 66, 68) of the plate elements (14 to 19) and forms a flat
connecting surface towards the basic body (9, 12).
33. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
each of the concave sections (20) has a cut-out (22) and a
protrusion (23) shaped complementary to the cut-out (22), whereby
adjoining plate elements (17, 19) are positively connected in at
least one position of the protective device for the spinal
column.
34. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
one of claim 1, wherein
the plate element (17) is essentially V-shaped when viewed from
above.
35. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the filler body (8) fills up the hollow space (20) between the
basic body (9) and the plate element (17) and has a cut-out (25)
tapering towards the basic body and a protrusion (27) tapering
towards a plate element protrusion (23) of the plate element
(17).
36. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
the protrusion (27) is shaped complementary to a cut-out (25).
37. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
an abutting surface between two adjoining filler bodies (8) falls
off at an angle of approximately 45.degree. toward the basic body
(9).
38. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
said protective device is inserted into a jacket.
39. In a protective device for the spinal column in accordance with
claim 1, wherein
said protective device is a kidney belt.
40. In a protective device for a spinal column having a plurality
of plate elements positioned one behind another in a longitudinal
direction of the spinal column, said plate elements being arched
away from the spinal column, made of a deformable material and
supported by a deformable basic body, said plate elements laterally
extending beyond the spinal column and one of at least said plates
partially overlapping and disposed at a short distance from each
other, the improvement comprising:
the plate elements (14 to 19) lie on the basic body (8, 12) with
almost their entire surfaces and are made of shock-absorbing
plastic foam.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a protective device for the spinal
column, in particular, as accident protection for motorcycle
riders, having plate elements positioned one behind the other in
the longitudinal direction of the spinal column. The plate elements
are arched away from the spinal column and are made of a deformable
material and supported by a deformable basic body. The plate
elements laterally extend past the spinal column and at least
partially overlap or are disposed at a short distance from each
other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A protective device for the spinal column is known and has been
described and illustrated, for example, in DE 34 41 876 A1. The
known protective device for the spinal column is essentially a
kidney belt having a plurality of essentially stiff elements
disposed above each other. Each element consists of a plate,
slightly arched towards the outside, and an end piece formed
thereon, which is covered by the adjoining element. Such a
protective device for the spinal column is worn on the back as a
kidney belt and, in case of a fall, protects it against external
forces which might injure the spinal column.
This protective device for the spinal column can be advantageously
employed by motorcycle riders. However, the known protective device
for the spinal column only operates satisfactorily if the plates,
which consist of a rigid or semi-rigid and deformable material, can
absorb the energy of the blows completely.
In addition, the plate elements of the known protective device for
the spinal column can be destroyed, possibly breaking into parts
with pointed edges. This often results in serious injuries through
cuts, because the soft basic body does not provide sufficient
protection against such breakage. In addition, the plate elements
absorb the impact energy poorly.
It is an object of this invention to provide a protective device
for the spinal column of the previously mentioned type in which the
external force effects during a fall are shielded from the spinal
column even better and where even the breaking of the plate
elements cannot result in injuries due to cuts.
In accordance with this invention, this object is attained with
hollow spaces formed between the plate elements and the basic body,
which hollow spaces are filled with a shock-absorbing filler body
of plastic foam.
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the basic body
supports such plate elements which, together with the interposed
shock-absorbing filler bodies, absorb the greatest portion of the
shock energy. Consequently of which their destruction is
acceptable. The filler body damps the shock even more by absorbing
or redirecting energy during its destruction or deformation.
Breaking points of the plate elements do not reach the body of the
user directly through the basic body. The filler body between the
plate elements and the basic body constitutes an intermediate
buffer which catches the broken pieces of the plate elements and
shields them from the body in order to prevent injuries due to
cuts.
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention in which
the basic body has a width which is greater than the width of the
plate elements, the plate elements have a concave section, arched
away from the spinal column for receiving the filler material,
which is laterally followed by a leg which is fixedly connected to
the basic body.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, each
one of the lower edges of the plate elements, which extend
crosswise to plate elements the longitudinal extension of the
spinal column, has a collar with a greater distance in the
direction towards the basic body than the concave section and which
partially receives and covers the crosswise extending, upper edge
of the adjacent plate element. As a result the plate elements can
cover the spinal column continuously with styrofoam. The areas
between the plates at the same time define hinges which, however,
need not necessarily be connected with each other.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of this invention,
the plate elements have identical shapes.
In order to transfer a portion of the energy of a blow over as
large as possible a surface of the back, in accordance with another
preferred embodiment of this invention, the areas of the basic body
covered by the plate elements have a greater thickness than the
area extending beyond the plate elements. In accordance with
another embodiment of this invention, the basic body comprises two
coinciding pieces of plastic foam layers which are firmly connected
to each other by, for example, gluing. In accordance with one
embodiment of this invention, the basic body comprises two pieces
of a polyethylene layer.
In accordance with a further embodiment of this invention, the side
of the plate elements facing the basic body is provided with a
covering or a layer of a tear-resistant deformable material. The
purpose of the covering or layer is mainly to assure a good
connection between the plate elements and the basic body or the
filler body in the hollow spaces.
To insert the filler body into the hollow spaces, the filler body
is foamed into the concave section of the plate elements and is
fixedly connected to it. Alternatively, filler bodies of the plate
elements, connected in a row, are combined into a one-piece strip,
which is embodied hinge-like between adjoining plate elements. In
yet another embodiment of this invention, the filler body supports
all of the plate elements in the direction of the basic body where
the filler body extends over the lateral legs of the plate elements
and forms a level connection surface in the direction of the basic
body.
The protective device for the spinal column can be integrated with
a jacket as accident protection or can be embodied and worn as a
kidney belt.
The invention will be described in detail by means of the exemplary
embodiments shown in the drawings. Shown are in:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a protective device for the spinal column
in accordance with one embodiment of this invention which is
suitable to be worn as an insert of a leather jacket,
FIG. 2 is a top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a plate
element in accordance with one embodiment of this invention,
FIG. 3 is a view of the plate element shown in FIG. 2 in the
direction of the arrow III,
FIG. 4 is a top view of a plate element in accordance with another
embodiment of this invention,
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along the line V--V of the plate
elements shown in FIG. 4,
FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of a protective device for the
spinal column in accordance with another embodiment of this
invention,
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the protective device
for the spinal column in accordance with the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6,
FIG. 8 is a perspective lateral view of a plate element in
accordance with one embodiment of this invention, and
FIG. 9 is a perspective lateral view of a filler body in accordance
with one embodiment of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A protective device for the spinal column which can be inserted
into a leather jacket is shown in FIG. 1. The protective device for
the spinal column has, positioned one behind the other in the
longitudinal extension 10 of the spinal column, plate elements 14,
15, 16 and 18. Plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18 are arched away from
the spinal column and are made of a deformable material. Plate
elements 14, 15, 16, 18 are supported by an elastically deformable
basic body 12 and laterally extend beyond the spinal cord. The
adjoining plate elements 14 and 15 overlap on their crosswise
extending edges, where, for example, upper plate element, 14,
respectively, partially covers lower plate element 15,
respectively, of the protective device for the spinal column in
accordance with one embodiment of this invention. Hollow spaces 20
are formed between the plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18 and the basic
body 12. These hollow spaces 20 are filled with a shock-absorbing
filler body 11 of low specific weight. Polystyrene foams, most
particularly styropor, are preferred. The basic body 12 has a width
which is greater than the width of the plate elements 14, 15, 16,
18. The plate elements, preferably made of an elastic plastic, have
a concave section 24 to receive the filler body 11, which is
laterally adjoined by legs 26 and 28, which legs 26, 28 are
connected to the basic body 12 by rivets 44, 46, 48, 50. The lower,
crosswise extending edge of the plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18 have
a collar 30, which is at a greater distance from the base body 12
than the concave section 24, so that this collar can receive a
tapering section 31 of the adjacent plate element. The concave
section 24 is completely filled with the filler body 11 made of
polystyrene foam, which can be foamed into the concave section 24
and fixedly connected to the plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18.
FIG. 1 also shows that the individual plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18
themselves are connected to each other in the form of a spinal
column, where the tapering section 31 of the one plate element 14,
is at least partially received by the collar 30 of the adjoining
plate element 15. The plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18 may have
different shapes. However, it is essential that they form a hollow
space 20 in the direction towards the basic body 12 which can be
filled with the filler body 11 composed of a polystyrene foam in a
simple manner. In the kidney area, the basic body 12 has two
laterally extending legs 40 and 42 which increase the protection of
the kidneys and serve as supports for the kidney belt.
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the basic body
12 comprises two coinciding pieces of plastic foam layers which are
fixedly connected, for example by gluing. In the area of the basic
body 12 covered by the plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18 there is a
continuous hollow space, which can be filled with a single,
elastically deformable strip serving as the filler body 11. This
strip can be hinged between adjoining plate elements. The legs 26
and 28, which laterally extend from the concave section 24 of the
plate elements 14, 15, 16, 18, rest flush against the basic body 12
and are fixedly connected to it.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show plate element 17 in accordance with another
embodiment of this invention. Plate element 17 has a section 70,
concavely arched away from the spinal column, which can be filled
with a shock-absorbing filler body 11. Two laterally extending legs
66 and 68 adjoin this section 70 and are used for a connection to
the basic body 12. On an upper edge of plate element 17, in the
axial direction, is a tapering section 52 which is connected to the
basic body 12 by rivets 54 and 56. Two additional protrusions 62
and 64 are formed on the lower edge of the plate element 17 and are
connected to the basic body 12 by rivets 58 and 60. The elevated
collar 72 is formed to cover tapering section 52 of the adjoining
plate element.
The filler body 11, composed of shock-absorbing material, can be
inserted into each plate element 14, 15, 16, 18 or element plate 70
in such a way that, together with the legs 26 and 28 or 66 and 68,
it forms a flat fastening surface in the direction towards the
basic body 12, as shown by the section in accordance with FIG. 5.
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, tapering
sections 31 or 52 form a continuous hollow space across the
protective device for the spinal column into which a strip made of
shock-absorbing material as the filler body 11 is inserted,
extending across all plate elements. The filler body 11 can also
extend over the legs 26 and 28 or 66 and 68 of the plate elements
16 to 18 and in this way can support all of the plate elements in
the direction of the basic body 12. This increases the protection
against additional injuries in the event the plate elements
break.
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, basic body 12
is made of one or more plastic foam layers. The protective device
for the spinal column in accordance with this invention can be
inserted into a leather jacket as a unit during its production,
however, it also can be made and worn in the fashion of a kidney
belt as a part separate from the clothing.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show a protective device for the spinal column in
accordance with another embodiment of this invention comprising
basic body 9 made of an elastically deformable material and having
a series of adjoining plate elements 17 and 19 and filler bodies 8.
The plate elements 17 and 19 are made of elastically deformable
plastic and have rivet pins 21 which can be inserted into the
cut-outs 13. The free ends of the rivet pins, which are made of
plastic, are heat-treated and deformed after the plate elements 17
and 19 have been attached, so that a fixed connection between the
plate elements 17, 19 and the basic body 9 is formed.
Each of the plate elements 17, 19 has a cut-out 22 and a protrusion
23 shaped complementary to the cut-out 22, so that the adjacent
plate elements 17, 19 are positively connected in at least one
position of the protective device for the spinal column. It can be
seen that the plate elements 17, 19 are essentially V-shaped when
viewed from above.
The filler bodies 8 are shaped such that they fill the hollow space
20 between the basic body 9 and the corresponding plate elements
17. Each of the filler bodies 8 a cut-out 25 tapering in the
direction of the basic body 9 with flanks 32, 33, as well as a
projection 27, tapering towards the protrusion 23 of the plate
element 17. Protrusion 27 is embodied complementary to the cut-out
25. The abutting surfaces of two adjoining filler bodies 8 fall off
at an angle of approximately 45.degree. towards the basic body 9.
In this way, it is assured that there is overlapping of only the
filler bodies, but not of the plate elements 17, 19. The filler
bodies are surrounded on all sides by the plate elements, so that
they can only be destroyed if the plate elements are destroyed or
are extremely deformed.
* * * * *